Facts You Didn’t Know About York

York is a city filled with history and culture. Situated in Yorkshire, it is widely known in the UK for its ties to religion, historic moments and a very famous wizard. While you may know York for its most famous artefacts, here are some facts you may not have been aware of. And if you haven’t already, take a look at our new York serviced offices.

York was once the capital of England.
Yes, that’s right! You can’t imagine anywhere other than London being the heart and soul of England. Back in 886 AD, York was the capital of England. This is one of the many reasons why York is so rich in history and culture.

The City Walls are the longest in England.
A must-visit when you visit York, the City Walls total at 2 miles long. That’s approximately 3.5 times the height of The Shard for reference!

York has more pubs than days in the year.
When you put it like that, that’s crazy. York is well-known for its pubs and day-drinkers so this won’t come as a surprise to many but that’s still a LOT of pubs. It varies in its variety of pubs from modern bars to old-school boozers, but there’s definitely something to suit everyone. One year non-stop pub crawl anyone?

York has the most haunted pubs in the UK.
York is definitely known as a pretty spooky place. Its reputation is tied to ghostly figures, dungeons and also haunted pubs.

The minster’s central tower is slightly crooked.
If you look closely at the York Minster, you’ll see that the central tower leans slightly. This is due to unstable foundations discovered during its construction. Engineers reinforced the structure to prevent collapse, and it still stands strong today.

Guy Fawkes was born in York.
Known for his involvement with the failed Gunpowder Plot at the Houses of Parliament in London, Guy Fawkes is actually a born and bred Yorkshireman. The Guy Fawkes Inn is a historic site which marks the birthplace of Guy where you can make a toast to the historical figure!

York inspired Diagon Alley in Harry Potter.
If there are any Potterheads out there, this one is for you. Harry Potter’s famous Diagon Alley is inspired by the famous Shambles in the centre of York. Bustling with tourists and fans of the franchise, The Shambles is almost always full to the brim with people wanting to see the real-life Diagon Alley!

York was home to the first-ever ice cream sundae.
It has been said that the first-ever ice cream sundae was created and served in York in 1892 at the famous Terry’s of York (yes, the same brand behind Terry’s Chocolate Orange). Mind = blown.

So there you have it. Eight important facts that make York the weird and wonderful place it is!
Want to discover a workplace in the heart of this historic town?
Be sure to visit Wizu East Coast House which is brand-new to the city of York for Summer 2025:
https://wizuworkspace.com/east-coast-house-york/